CA1301568C - Fluid-heating solar collector - Google Patents
Fluid-heating solar collectorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1301568C CA1301568C CA000599516A CA599516A CA1301568C CA 1301568 C CA1301568 C CA 1301568C CA 000599516 A CA000599516 A CA 000599516A CA 599516 A CA599516 A CA 599516A CA 1301568 C CA1301568 C CA 1301568C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- solar collector
- radiation
- collector according
- heating solar
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 239000011358 absorbing material Substances 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- WYTGDNHDOZPMIW-RCBQFDQVSA-N alstonine Natural products C1=CC2=C3C=CC=CC3=NC2=C2N1C[C@H]1[C@H](C)OC=C(C(=O)OC)[C@H]1C2 WYTGDNHDOZPMIW-RCBQFDQVSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000009102 absorption Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001965 increasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 101100328891 Caenorhabditis elegans col-40 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 206010061876 Obstruction Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 241001282736 Oriens Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000282320 Panthera leo Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000018734 Sambucus australis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000180577 Sambucus australis Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000000988 bone and bone Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920002620 polyvinyl fluoride Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
- F24S10/50—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed between plates
- F24S10/502—Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed between plates having conduits formed by paired plates and internal partition means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
- F24S10/80—Solar heat collectors using working fluids comprising porous material or permeable masses directly contacting the working fluids
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S70/00—Details of absorbing elements
- F24S70/60—Details of absorbing elements characterised by the structure or construction
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
- Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
- Building Environments (AREA)
- Engine Equipment That Uses Special Cycles (AREA)
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
A fluid-heating solar collector comprises a solar energy absorber with heat conducting and radiation absorbing material arranged to provide a plurality of angularly bent conduits extending therethrough thus to optimize the heat absorption surface at differing sun angles and also to substantially increase the area for convective heat transfer to passing air or other fluid.
A fluid-heating solar collector comprises a solar energy absorber with heat conducting and radiation absorbing material arranged to provide a plurality of angularly bent conduits extending therethrough thus to optimize the heat absorption surface at differing sun angles and also to substantially increase the area for convective heat transfer to passing air or other fluid.
Description
s~
FLUID~lIEArrING SOLAR COL~ECTOR
Backg~ound of the Inven-tion The present invention relates generall~ to solar collectors and?
more particularly1 to a fluid-heating non-trac~ing solar collector including a solar absorber for recei~ing radiation and transferring the heat to air or other passing fluid.
As is well known, the conventio~al flat plate solar absorbe~s are limited in the total area favorably inclined to æunlight and at the same time in the area exposed ~or heat transfer to air or other passing fluid. This has been improvod in certain absorbers, for example t by providing corrugations, dimples, pockets or folds in the plate but limits on efficiency still exists~ Moreover, orientation of the fixed absorbers to optimiæe absorption during difPerent times of day has not been effectively achieved~
Various solar heating devices have been described in the prior art.
For example, U~ S~ Pat. No. 4,223,665 to Lowe describes an array of conically-shaped tubular solar energy collectors. ~. ~0 Pat~ No~
4,262,659 to Brzezinski discloses a solar radiation absorbing panel having a flat base ~heet provided with a plurality of rectangular tab members~ U~ S. Pat. No~ 4,262,657 to McCullough et al te~ches a solar air heater comprising a flat, porous collector plate combined with a radiation trap~ U~ S. Pat~ No. 4,360,006 to Warnock shows a radiant solar collector comprising a flat base plate to which are a~fixed semi-elliptical or oval absorbers in spaced relationship therefrom~ U. S~
Pat~ No. 4,424l803 to Bogardus discloses a solar collector comprising a housing provided with a plurality of twi6ted heat-absorbing vanes.
U~ S. Pat. No. 4,668,443 to Rye, although not directed to solar heating, describes contact bodies formed by securing together a plurality of eorrugated sheets provided with planar positioner pads for use i~
~0 cooling towers and the like.
While the abo~e-mentioned patents diselose various devices having specific struetural arrangements, the present invention provides a new approach to the structural form of a solar collector which of~ers eertain advantages over the prior art deviees.
Objects o~ the Invention Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a fluid-heating solar collector having a solar ~bsorber which not only optimizes the area exposed to solar radiation during variou~
daylight hours but also grea~ly increases the area ~or convecti~e heat 40 transfer to a passing ~luid, such as air.
A further object of the invention is to provide a highly effieient ~olar collector comprisjng a solar energ~ absorber characteriæed by ha~ing novel undulating strni.p~ form.ing bent and parti.ally obstrllcted condu-it~for passage o alr or other fluid therethrough~
Still another object of the in~ention is the prouision of a ~olar collector o~ the character described herein which çan be manufactured at a relati~ely low cost from readily available materials~
These and othcr objects of the invention will become more fully apparent ~rom the ~ollowing description considered in conjunction wit:h the accompanying dra~ings~
Brief Summary of the In~ention In accordance with thç invention, there is provided a fluid~heating solar collector which comprises an enclosed collector housing including a solar radiation transmitting side wall and an opposite radiation reflecting side wall mounted in spaced relation and parallel thereto~
Substantially centrally between the two side walls is supported withîn the housing a solar absorber including a plurality of thin adjacent undulating strLps o~ heat-conducting material arranged to :Eorm a plurality of open-ended conduits of spec:iflc configuration which will be described in more detail hereinafter~
Brief Description of the Drawings The .stated objects of the invention and the manner in which it is achie~ed~ as summarized above, will be more readily underetood by reference to the following detailed description of two examplary embodiments of the invention ehown in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding elements throughout the views thereof.
FIG~ 1 is a general perspective view of a residence with a solar collector constitu~ing one embodiment of the in~ention positioned on its roof~
FIG~ 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the solar collector of FIG~ 1J
FIG~ 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional vie~ taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG~ 2`~
~IG. 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary side elevational view o the solar absorber elements utili~ed in the first embodiment~
FIGo 5 is a Eragmentary isometric ~iew of the absorber elements of FIG~4 FIG. 6 is a perspective ~iew oE a residence with a solar collector constituting a second embodiment of the invention mounted in a vertical position on the residence wall.
FIG~ 7 is an enlarged isometric view oE the ~olar collector of FIG~ 6 FIG~ 8 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary side elevational ~iew of the solar absorber eleme~ts of the second embodiment, ancd FIG~ 9 is a view taken from the right side of FIG. 8~
L~o Detailed Description of the Invention With initial reference to b'IGo 1~ a solar collector 10 constituting one embodiment of the invention i5 ~ounted on the rooE R o:E a r~s:idenoe facing the south side thereof in northern hemisphore. With add:itional reference to ~3~S~
6glOl-ll FIG. 2, a fluid inl0t mean~ 12 i6 diagramatically indicated at the top of collector 10 and a fan 14 in the fluid outlet mean6 15 at the bottom of collector 10 creates an induced draft o~ air entering the top inlet means from the residence interior (not 6hown) into the lower di~charge end of solar collector 10.
With yet additional reference to FIG~ 3, solar collector 10 includes an open rectangular frame 16, the four walls of ~hich are of the same construction~ Frame 16 supports at its o~e edge a radiation tran6mit-ting horizontal side wall 18 composed of a single or multiple glaæing~
preferably lightweight type sold under the trademark "TEDLAR~' by du Pont de Nemours Co. Side wall 10 iS held firmly against the edge of frame 16 by oap 20 with an interposed weather seal or gasket 22~ At its opposi.te edge, frame 16 includes a seco~d horizontal 6ide ~all 24 formed by a 6uitable heat-insulating material cover~d by thin metal foil sheet6 26, 28, the inner foil sheet 28 providing a light-reflec-tive sur~aoe. The other two ~ide wallG of ~rame 16 are made of pre-formed sheet metal 6tructure filled insidQ thereof ~rith heat-insulat-ing material 30 :Likewi~e covored with thin nnctal foil shoets 26~ 28~
Frame 16 is prov:ided with .inwardly extending flange mean6 32 to 6upport and secure a solar ab60rber 34 which spans rom edge to edge of the opposite vertical walls o~ frame 16 of the collector's housing at a position oentrally located between the side wall~ 18, 24 lea~ing space6 on either side o~ ab60rber 3lt.
In accordance with a primary aspect of the invention, absorber 34 consi6ts of a plurality of horizontally extending heat-conductive and radiation-absorbing strip6 36 of aluminium or other suitable material~
Preferably, strips 36 are approximately 5-7~ cm. wide and 0001-0.025 cm~ thick so that the entire absorber 34 is of minimal weight. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, each strip 36 i6 ~ormed with longit~ai- ~
nally ~paced alternate indentation6 and protrusions succe6siYely 810p-i~g upwardly and downwardly thus forming tranever6ely a ~-shaped a~-gular configuration so that a longitudinal undulatory herringbone pat~
tern i6 pro~ided. Preferably, the angle A ~ho~n in FIGo 3 between a transverse line on each strip and one leg of the V i8 between 30~
and 50~ and~ in turn, the included angle B shown in FIG~ 4 ~or~ed by two adjacent leg6 of the V of each protrusion or indentation ia bet-ween ~oP and 120~.
The adJacent undulati~g stxips 36 are di~posed contiæuously a~d attached to form angularly bent~ diverging, non rectilinear, turbulen-ce~inducing passages or conduits 38 tra~sver6ely extending :in zigzag throughout the entire absorber 31~ to optimize expo~ure to solar radia-tion at di~er.ing daylight hour~. Adjacent ~trips 36 have the.ir herrin~
bone patterns inclined in opposite direotions a~ best shown in FIGS~ 4 and 5 but al~o indicated by the breakaway ehowine Ln FIG~ ~. A:Lr or . -- 3 --~L3~
other fluid in-troduced into the collector 10 is caused to pass through formed in ~igzag passages or conduits 38 so that it is e~posed to con-vecti~e heat transfex through a greatly enlarged surface area7 as com-pared to flat plate~ for predetermined solar collector size~ A1so~
bent conduits 38 cr0ate a turbulent flo~ which enhances the conrective heat transferO
A fan in the ~luid inlet can create a forced fluid movement~ A
similar fan ;n the fluid outlet can, alternati~ely, create an induced fluid ~low. Moreo~er~ if the solar collectQr is disposeæ in a generally upright position~ a natural fluid flow resultant from the generated heat can be utili~ed.
In one embodiment, adjacent strips, which are identical, can be re versed along their lengths producing partiall~ obstructed conduits that optimize surface exposure to solar radiation when a sloping dispofiition o~ the collector exists, as on a sloping roof~ In another embodiment, the adjacent strips present uniformly open conduits along their :Len~the, such arrangement bein~ preferred when a vertioal wall mount of the solar collector is desired~ Howe~rt both arrangements induce turbulence to enhance the heat exchange with passing fluid.
Preferably the absorber surfaces of strips 36 are coated with dark material to approximate a "black body~' and thus maximize absorp-tion.
A O~OOZ5 om. coating of "Solar Coat 100" produced by Zuel Corporation is preferred to maximize absorptivity and reduce emittance of available solar radia-tion. ~he bending o~ conduits 38 i6 sufficiently great 90 that most of the straight line rays can not pass entirely through the conduit~ forming, in efect, a closed black body cavity or pocket so that little radiation escapes contact with the conduit walls~ Any re-flected rays are delivered to other surfaces and any radiation generated by the heated absorber strips is also re-radiated to adjacent strips thus effecting optimum cavit~ radiation and absorption of heat energy.
It will be observed that some of the angled surfaces will recei~e greater amounts of radiation during mornang hours while other surfaces will receive more in the afternoonr In any event, at any time of day a greater area is continu~usly exposed to solar radiation than in con-ventional solar absorbers, such as of a flat or corrugated type, thereby increasing efficiency of the collsctor described herein. It will be a}so understood that maximum heat energy is generated when solar rays are perpendicular to the absorbing surfaces.
While the collector of this in~ention is light in weight and inex-40 pensive to manufacture~ the undulating and attached contiguous arrange-ment of the adjacent strips can provide structural integrity.
~3~
~ s previously mentione~q air enters through the upper end of absor-ber 34 and with the aid of dr~ft induced by fan 14 passes downwardly therethrough to outlet means 15 arranged to deliv~r heated air into interior of the residence. As illustrated in FIG~ 2, transparent baffles 42 are disposed in alternate position~ on opposite sides of absorber 34 thus diverting the passing air through conduits 38 in a serpe~tine pattern~ as indicated by arrows C1 æo that the baffled area of the con duit walls will realize a higher a~erage fluid velocity to optimize the convective heat transfer. Furthermore~ since conduits 38 are bent angu-larly forming ~igzag turns in alternate directions and partially obstruc-ted by the oppositely positioned rear portions of strips 36l turbulent air flow is generated in multidirectional pattern, thus further enhan-cing the heat transfer~
~ or installations in vertical positions, such as an exterior wall of a re~idence, a modified embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS~ 6-9 is preferred~ FIG. 6 illustrates a modified solar collector 50 whiah ls suitably secured to the exterlor wall W facing southsrly direction. ~s shown in E'IG. 7, a suîtable conduit 52 provides air inlet means at the top of collector 5Q 80 that cold air from the interior of the residence can be forced in a serpentine pattern;indicated by arrows D arounæ light~
transmissiYe baffles 54 to air outlet conduit 56 at the bottom po~ti~
of colleotor 50 for discharge of heated air through wall W into the in-terior of the residenceO Alternatively, a natural draft in the opposite direction can occur resulting from the heating of air so that the fan and(the baffles can be eliminated.
The basic structure of solar collector 50 is similar to that of the collector 10 described in the first embodiment of the invention and thus it will not be repeated. The solar absorber 58 is arranged differen-tly~ however~ Absorbing strips 60 have the same herringbone pattern as those in the first embodiment~ but extend vertically with all strips having the ~6 of the herringbone structure directed downwardl~ as clearly shown in FIGS~ 8 and ~. Such disposition of strips 60 enhances reception of solar radiation on the ~ertically orien~ed~ collector 50.
Additionally, less obs-truction e~ists to the air ~low ~Jhich facilitates the natural draft use.
It will be apparent from the foregoing description of the inventi~n in its preferred embodiment~ that I have devised an improved solar col~
lector characterized by novel construction of the absorber which gives as a result, a marked increased efficiency, as compared to solar col-40 lector~ known in the prior art~ In addition to the principal usedescrlbed hereinabove, my collector can effectively be employed for absorption of radiations other than solar.
~3~
It will be understood~that the descri~ed embodiments o~ the inven-tion are examplary and further modifications andJor alterations may be made without departing from the spirit of tha invention and its actual scope as indicated o~ly by the appended claim~
'~;
;~
.; ~
FLUID~lIEArrING SOLAR COL~ECTOR
Backg~ound of the Inven-tion The present invention relates generall~ to solar collectors and?
more particularly1 to a fluid-heating non-trac~ing solar collector including a solar absorber for recei~ing radiation and transferring the heat to air or other passing fluid.
As is well known, the conventio~al flat plate solar absorbe~s are limited in the total area favorably inclined to æunlight and at the same time in the area exposed ~or heat transfer to air or other passing fluid. This has been improvod in certain absorbers, for example t by providing corrugations, dimples, pockets or folds in the plate but limits on efficiency still exists~ Moreover, orientation of the fixed absorbers to optimiæe absorption during difPerent times of day has not been effectively achieved~
Various solar heating devices have been described in the prior art.
For example, U~ S~ Pat. No. 4,223,665 to Lowe describes an array of conically-shaped tubular solar energy collectors. ~. ~0 Pat~ No~
4,262,659 to Brzezinski discloses a solar radiation absorbing panel having a flat base ~heet provided with a plurality of rectangular tab members~ U~ S. Pat. No~ 4,262,657 to McCullough et al te~ches a solar air heater comprising a flat, porous collector plate combined with a radiation trap~ U~ S. Pat~ No. 4,360,006 to Warnock shows a radiant solar collector comprising a flat base plate to which are a~fixed semi-elliptical or oval absorbers in spaced relationship therefrom~ U. S~
Pat~ No. 4,424l803 to Bogardus discloses a solar collector comprising a housing provided with a plurality of twi6ted heat-absorbing vanes.
U~ S. Pat. No. 4,668,443 to Rye, although not directed to solar heating, describes contact bodies formed by securing together a plurality of eorrugated sheets provided with planar positioner pads for use i~
~0 cooling towers and the like.
While the abo~e-mentioned patents diselose various devices having specific struetural arrangements, the present invention provides a new approach to the structural form of a solar collector which of~ers eertain advantages over the prior art deviees.
Objects o~ the Invention Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a fluid-heating solar collector having a solar ~bsorber which not only optimizes the area exposed to solar radiation during variou~
daylight hours but also grea~ly increases the area ~or convecti~e heat 40 transfer to a passing ~luid, such as air.
A further object of the invention is to provide a highly effieient ~olar collector comprisjng a solar energ~ absorber characteriæed by ha~ing novel undulating strni.p~ form.ing bent and parti.ally obstrllcted condu-it~for passage o alr or other fluid therethrough~
Still another object of the in~ention is the prouision of a ~olar collector o~ the character described herein which çan be manufactured at a relati~ely low cost from readily available materials~
These and othcr objects of the invention will become more fully apparent ~rom the ~ollowing description considered in conjunction wit:h the accompanying dra~ings~
Brief Summary of the In~ention In accordance with thç invention, there is provided a fluid~heating solar collector which comprises an enclosed collector housing including a solar radiation transmitting side wall and an opposite radiation reflecting side wall mounted in spaced relation and parallel thereto~
Substantially centrally between the two side walls is supported withîn the housing a solar absorber including a plurality of thin adjacent undulating strLps o~ heat-conducting material arranged to :Eorm a plurality of open-ended conduits of spec:iflc configuration which will be described in more detail hereinafter~
Brief Description of the Drawings The .stated objects of the invention and the manner in which it is achie~ed~ as summarized above, will be more readily underetood by reference to the following detailed description of two examplary embodiments of the invention ehown in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding elements throughout the views thereof.
FIG~ 1 is a general perspective view of a residence with a solar collector constitu~ing one embodiment of the in~ention positioned on its roof~
FIG~ 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the solar collector of FIG~ 1J
FIG~ 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional vie~ taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG~ 2`~
~IG. 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary side elevational view o the solar absorber elements utili~ed in the first embodiment~
FIGo 5 is a Eragmentary isometric ~iew of the absorber elements of FIG~4 FIG. 6 is a perspective ~iew oE a residence with a solar collector constituting a second embodiment of the invention mounted in a vertical position on the residence wall.
FIG~ 7 is an enlarged isometric view oE the ~olar collector of FIG~ 6 FIG~ 8 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary side elevational ~iew of the solar absorber eleme~ts of the second embodiment, ancd FIG~ 9 is a view taken from the right side of FIG. 8~
L~o Detailed Description of the Invention With initial reference to b'IGo 1~ a solar collector 10 constituting one embodiment of the invention i5 ~ounted on the rooE R o:E a r~s:idenoe facing the south side thereof in northern hemisphore. With add:itional reference to ~3~S~
6glOl-ll FIG. 2, a fluid inl0t mean~ 12 i6 diagramatically indicated at the top of collector 10 and a fan 14 in the fluid outlet mean6 15 at the bottom of collector 10 creates an induced draft o~ air entering the top inlet means from the residence interior (not 6hown) into the lower di~charge end of solar collector 10.
With yet additional reference to FIG~ 3, solar collector 10 includes an open rectangular frame 16, the four walls of ~hich are of the same construction~ Frame 16 supports at its o~e edge a radiation tran6mit-ting horizontal side wall 18 composed of a single or multiple glaæing~
preferably lightweight type sold under the trademark "TEDLAR~' by du Pont de Nemours Co. Side wall 10 iS held firmly against the edge of frame 16 by oap 20 with an interposed weather seal or gasket 22~ At its opposi.te edge, frame 16 includes a seco~d horizontal 6ide ~all 24 formed by a 6uitable heat-insulating material cover~d by thin metal foil sheet6 26, 28, the inner foil sheet 28 providing a light-reflec-tive sur~aoe. The other two ~ide wallG of ~rame 16 are made of pre-formed sheet metal 6tructure filled insidQ thereof ~rith heat-insulat-ing material 30 :Likewi~e covored with thin nnctal foil shoets 26~ 28~
Frame 16 is prov:ided with .inwardly extending flange mean6 32 to 6upport and secure a solar ab60rber 34 which spans rom edge to edge of the opposite vertical walls o~ frame 16 of the collector's housing at a position oentrally located between the side wall~ 18, 24 lea~ing space6 on either side o~ ab60rber 3lt.
In accordance with a primary aspect of the invention, absorber 34 consi6ts of a plurality of horizontally extending heat-conductive and radiation-absorbing strip6 36 of aluminium or other suitable material~
Preferably, strips 36 are approximately 5-7~ cm. wide and 0001-0.025 cm~ thick so that the entire absorber 34 is of minimal weight. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, each strip 36 i6 ~ormed with longit~ai- ~
nally ~paced alternate indentation6 and protrusions succe6siYely 810p-i~g upwardly and downwardly thus forming tranever6ely a ~-shaped a~-gular configuration so that a longitudinal undulatory herringbone pat~
tern i6 pro~ided. Preferably, the angle A ~ho~n in FIGo 3 between a transverse line on each strip and one leg of the V i8 between 30~
and 50~ and~ in turn, the included angle B shown in FIG~ 4 ~or~ed by two adjacent leg6 of the V of each protrusion or indentation ia bet-ween ~oP and 120~.
The adJacent undulati~g stxips 36 are di~posed contiæuously a~d attached to form angularly bent~ diverging, non rectilinear, turbulen-ce~inducing passages or conduits 38 tra~sver6ely extending :in zigzag throughout the entire absorber 31~ to optimize expo~ure to solar radia-tion at di~er.ing daylight hour~. Adjacent ~trips 36 have the.ir herrin~
bone patterns inclined in opposite direotions a~ best shown in FIGS~ 4 and 5 but al~o indicated by the breakaway ehowine Ln FIG~ ~. A:Lr or . -- 3 --~L3~
other fluid in-troduced into the collector 10 is caused to pass through formed in ~igzag passages or conduits 38 so that it is e~posed to con-vecti~e heat transfex through a greatly enlarged surface area7 as com-pared to flat plate~ for predetermined solar collector size~ A1so~
bent conduits 38 cr0ate a turbulent flo~ which enhances the conrective heat transferO
A fan in the ~luid inlet can create a forced fluid movement~ A
similar fan ;n the fluid outlet can, alternati~ely, create an induced fluid ~low. Moreo~er~ if the solar collectQr is disposeæ in a generally upright position~ a natural fluid flow resultant from the generated heat can be utili~ed.
In one embodiment, adjacent strips, which are identical, can be re versed along their lengths producing partiall~ obstructed conduits that optimize surface exposure to solar radiation when a sloping dispofiition o~ the collector exists, as on a sloping roof~ In another embodiment, the adjacent strips present uniformly open conduits along their :Len~the, such arrangement bein~ preferred when a vertioal wall mount of the solar collector is desired~ Howe~rt both arrangements induce turbulence to enhance the heat exchange with passing fluid.
Preferably the absorber surfaces of strips 36 are coated with dark material to approximate a "black body~' and thus maximize absorp-tion.
A O~OOZ5 om. coating of "Solar Coat 100" produced by Zuel Corporation is preferred to maximize absorptivity and reduce emittance of available solar radia-tion. ~he bending o~ conduits 38 i6 sufficiently great 90 that most of the straight line rays can not pass entirely through the conduit~ forming, in efect, a closed black body cavity or pocket so that little radiation escapes contact with the conduit walls~ Any re-flected rays are delivered to other surfaces and any radiation generated by the heated absorber strips is also re-radiated to adjacent strips thus effecting optimum cavit~ radiation and absorption of heat energy.
It will be observed that some of the angled surfaces will recei~e greater amounts of radiation during mornang hours while other surfaces will receive more in the afternoonr In any event, at any time of day a greater area is continu~usly exposed to solar radiation than in con-ventional solar absorbers, such as of a flat or corrugated type, thereby increasing efficiency of the collsctor described herein. It will be a}so understood that maximum heat energy is generated when solar rays are perpendicular to the absorbing surfaces.
While the collector of this in~ention is light in weight and inex-40 pensive to manufacture~ the undulating and attached contiguous arrange-ment of the adjacent strips can provide structural integrity.
~3~
~ s previously mentione~q air enters through the upper end of absor-ber 34 and with the aid of dr~ft induced by fan 14 passes downwardly therethrough to outlet means 15 arranged to deliv~r heated air into interior of the residence. As illustrated in FIG~ 2, transparent baffles 42 are disposed in alternate position~ on opposite sides of absorber 34 thus diverting the passing air through conduits 38 in a serpe~tine pattern~ as indicated by arrows C1 æo that the baffled area of the con duit walls will realize a higher a~erage fluid velocity to optimize the convective heat transfer. Furthermore~ since conduits 38 are bent angu-larly forming ~igzag turns in alternate directions and partially obstruc-ted by the oppositely positioned rear portions of strips 36l turbulent air flow is generated in multidirectional pattern, thus further enhan-cing the heat transfer~
~ or installations in vertical positions, such as an exterior wall of a re~idence, a modified embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS~ 6-9 is preferred~ FIG. 6 illustrates a modified solar collector 50 whiah ls suitably secured to the exterlor wall W facing southsrly direction. ~s shown in E'IG. 7, a suîtable conduit 52 provides air inlet means at the top of collector 5Q 80 that cold air from the interior of the residence can be forced in a serpentine pattern;indicated by arrows D arounæ light~
transmissiYe baffles 54 to air outlet conduit 56 at the bottom po~ti~
of colleotor 50 for discharge of heated air through wall W into the in-terior of the residenceO Alternatively, a natural draft in the opposite direction can occur resulting from the heating of air so that the fan and(the baffles can be eliminated.
The basic structure of solar collector 50 is similar to that of the collector 10 described in the first embodiment of the invention and thus it will not be repeated. The solar absorber 58 is arranged differen-tly~ however~ Absorbing strips 60 have the same herringbone pattern as those in the first embodiment~ but extend vertically with all strips having the ~6 of the herringbone structure directed downwardl~ as clearly shown in FIGS~ 8 and ~. Such disposition of strips 60 enhances reception of solar radiation on the ~ertically orien~ed~ collector 50.
Additionally, less obs-truction e~ists to the air ~low ~Jhich facilitates the natural draft use.
It will be apparent from the foregoing description of the inventi~n in its preferred embodiment~ that I have devised an improved solar col~
lector characterized by novel construction of the absorber which gives as a result, a marked increased efficiency, as compared to solar col-40 lector~ known in the prior art~ In addition to the principal usedescrlbed hereinabove, my collector can effectively be employed for absorption of radiations other than solar.
~3~
It will be understood~that the descri~ed embodiments o~ the inven-tion are examplary and further modifications andJor alterations may be made without departing from the spirit of tha invention and its actual scope as indicated o~ly by the appended claim~
'~;
;~
.; ~
Claims (9)
1. A fluid-heating solar collector which comprises:
an enclosed collector housing including a solar radiation trans-mitting side wall and an opposite radiation reflecting side wall parallel thereto, fluid inlet means to said housing, fluid outlet means from said housing, and a solar energy absorber supported within said housing between edges of said side walls and including heat conductive and radiation-absorbing material comprising a continuous panel having a plurality of open-ended, bent in zigzag shape passages formed by adjacent pairs of heat-conductive, oppositely positioned strips having alternate V shaped indentations and protrusions providing a regular, longitudinal, undulatory herringbone pattern extending substantially uniformly through the entire interior of said housing for passage of fluid flow through said passages, said strips being disposed contiguously in planar configuration and having side walls extending at an inclination relative to said radiation transmitting side wall, said inlet and said outlet means being arranged to cause said fluid to flow through the zigzag shaped passages to thus provide heating of said fluid during passage thereof through said absorber.
an enclosed collector housing including a solar radiation trans-mitting side wall and an opposite radiation reflecting side wall parallel thereto, fluid inlet means to said housing, fluid outlet means from said housing, and a solar energy absorber supported within said housing between edges of said side walls and including heat conductive and radiation-absorbing material comprising a continuous panel having a plurality of open-ended, bent in zigzag shape passages formed by adjacent pairs of heat-conductive, oppositely positioned strips having alternate V shaped indentations and protrusions providing a regular, longitudinal, undulatory herringbone pattern extending substantially uniformly through the entire interior of said housing for passage of fluid flow through said passages, said strips being disposed contiguously in planar configuration and having side walls extending at an inclination relative to said radiation transmitting side wall, said inlet and said outlet means being arranged to cause said fluid to flow through the zigzag shaped passages to thus provide heating of said fluid during passage thereof through said absorber.
2. A fluid-heating solar collector according to claim 1, wherein the herringbone pattern on adjacent strips extends in the same direction.
3. A fluid-heating solar collector according to claim 1, wherein the herringbone pattern on adjacent strips extends in opposite directions.
4. A fluid heating solar collector according to claim 1, wherein said collector comprises a radiation-absorbing coating on said strips.
5. A fluid-heating solar collector according to claim 1, wherein the angle of each leg of said zigzag passages relative to a transverse line across said strip is between 30° and 50°.
6. A fluid-heating solar collector according to claim 1 t wherein an included angle at an intersection of two leg portions of each of said zigzag shaped passages is between 90° and 120°.
7. A fluid-heating solar collector according to claim 1, wherein said fluid comprises air.
8. A fluid-heating solar collector according to claim 1, which comprises at least one transparent baffle extending from said absorber toward said radiation transmitting side wall for diverting said fluid passing through said passages in a serpen-tine pattern.
9. A fluid-heating solar collector according to claim 1, wherein said solar radiation transmitting side wall is composed of at least one single glazing and said second radiation reflecting side wall is formed of a layer of heat-insulating material covered by thin metal sheets on top and bottom thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US220,079 | 1988-07-18 | ||
| US07/220,079 US4867134A (en) | 1987-10-02 | 1988-07-18 | Fluid-heating solar collector |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1301568C true CA1301568C (en) | 1992-05-26 |
Family
ID=22821962
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000599516A Expired - Lifetime CA1301568C (en) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-05-12 | Fluid-heating solar collector |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4867134A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0379537A4 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH02502397A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3746389A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1301568C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1990001133A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (18)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2727790A1 (en) * | 1994-12-02 | 1996-06-07 | Cythelia Sarl | Hybrid solar panel generating photovoltaic electricity and heat |
| TW347861U (en) * | 1997-04-26 | 1998-12-11 | Ind Tech Res Inst | Compound-type solar energy water-heating/dehumidifying apparatus |
| US6178966B1 (en) * | 1998-04-16 | 2001-01-30 | John E. Breshears | Heat and moisture exchange apparatus for architectural applications |
| US20070131223A1 (en) * | 2005-12-13 | 2007-06-14 | Gorsuch Gordon T | Energy concentration and collection devices |
| US20080029149A1 (en) * | 2006-08-02 | 2008-02-07 | Daniel Simon | Method and apparatus for arranging a solar cell and reflector |
| US20080047003A1 (en) * | 2006-08-02 | 2008-02-21 | Oracle International Corporation | Audit system |
| US20080073198A1 (en) * | 2006-08-03 | 2008-03-27 | Daniel Simon | Concentrating solar distillation apparatus |
| US20090194096A1 (en) * | 2008-02-05 | 2009-08-06 | Daniel Simon | Method and apparatus for concentrating optical radiation using light trapping elements |
| US20090194146A1 (en) * | 2008-02-06 | 2009-08-06 | Daniel Simon | Method and apparatus for arranging multiple flat reflector facets around a solar cell or solar panel |
| US20090277441A1 (en) * | 2008-05-10 | 2009-11-12 | Reed Jensen | Low entropy heat exchanger especially for use with solar gas processors |
| US20090316361A1 (en) * | 2008-06-23 | 2009-12-24 | Daniel Simon | Method and apparatus for controlling the output of solar arrays |
| US20100153312A1 (en) * | 2008-12-03 | 2010-06-17 | Auguste Lemaire | Solar heating system, storage tank for use therein, method of manufacturing solar collection panel for use therein, and method of installing the same |
| US20100132696A1 (en) * | 2008-12-03 | 2010-06-03 | Auguste Lemaire | Solar heating system, storage tank for use therein, method of manufacturing solar collection panel for use therein, and method of installing the same |
| US8371288B2 (en) * | 2010-04-07 | 2013-02-12 | Louis T. King | Solar collector/heat exchanger |
| JP2012002494A (en) * | 2010-05-18 | 2012-01-05 | Mitaka Koki Co Ltd | Solar heat type air heating device |
| US20130020049A1 (en) | 2011-07-18 | 2013-01-24 | Architectural Applications P.C. | Architectural heat and moisture exchange |
| WO2016064732A1 (en) | 2014-10-20 | 2016-04-28 | Architectural Applications P.C. | Rainscreen with integrated heat and moisture exchanger |
| RU194490U1 (en) * | 2019-01-11 | 2019-12-12 | федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Российский государственный университет им. А.Н. Косыгина (Технологии. Дизайн. Искусство)" | TRANSPIRATION SUNNY AIR HEATER |
Family Cites Families (18)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3939818A (en) * | 1974-04-23 | 1976-02-24 | Solar Energy Company | Solar energy heating module and assembly |
| US4038969A (en) * | 1974-11-20 | 1977-08-02 | Smith Philip D | Solar energy collector |
| DE2629086A1 (en) * | 1976-06-29 | 1978-01-12 | Interliz Anstalt | Air cooled solar radiation energy collector - has porous radiation absorber mass through which the air percolates between transparent cover and insulated base |
| US4262657A (en) * | 1976-08-06 | 1981-04-21 | Union Carbide Corporation | Solar air heater |
| US4073282A (en) * | 1976-09-16 | 1978-02-14 | Schriefer Jr Arno H | Solar panel |
| FR2388220A1 (en) * | 1977-04-18 | 1978-11-17 | Pince Christian | Solar energy traps with honeycomb inlet grid - for external disguise of dark heat capture surfaces |
| US4270516A (en) * | 1977-11-23 | 1981-06-02 | Sunworks, Inc. | Solar energy collector |
| US4243021A (en) * | 1978-01-09 | 1981-01-06 | Vitek, Inc. | Solar heat conversion panel and method of assembly |
| US4265222A (en) * | 1978-08-14 | 1981-05-05 | Kapany Narinder S | See-through solar collector |
| US4287882A (en) * | 1978-08-30 | 1981-09-08 | Solarspan, Inc. | Black liquid absorbing solar collector |
| DE2925812C2 (en) * | 1979-06-26 | 1982-10-21 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | Ink printing device for multi-colored printing on a recording medium |
| US4286531A (en) * | 1979-09-10 | 1981-09-01 | Edward A. Shaw | Sewing apparatus |
| GB2073872B (en) * | 1980-01-24 | 1983-10-19 | Limbrey J C S | Fluid permeable sheet |
| FR2481774B1 (en) * | 1980-04-30 | 1987-05-15 | Fondeur Francois | SUSPENSION GASKET FOR FILLING SURFACES |
| US4316449A (en) * | 1980-11-06 | 1982-02-23 | Fodor Joseph E | Solar heater |
| US4342307A (en) * | 1980-12-10 | 1982-08-03 | Tuck John W | Solar collector for heating air |
| US4360006A (en) * | 1981-03-30 | 1982-11-23 | Solar Search Corporation | Energy radiant solar collector |
| US4409960A (en) * | 1981-06-26 | 1983-10-18 | Eric Balzer | Louver solar panel |
-
1988
- 1988-07-18 US US07/220,079 patent/US4867134A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1989
- 1989-05-09 WO PCT/US1989/001970 patent/WO1990001133A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1989-05-09 JP JP1506292A patent/JPH02502397A/en active Pending
- 1989-05-09 AU AU37463/89A patent/AU3746389A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1989-05-09 EP EP19890906660 patent/EP0379537A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1989-05-12 CA CA000599516A patent/CA1301568C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0379537A1 (en) | 1990-08-01 |
| AU3746389A (en) | 1990-02-19 |
| US4867134A (en) | 1989-09-19 |
| JPH02502397A (en) | 1990-08-02 |
| WO1990001133A1 (en) | 1990-02-08 |
| EP0379537A4 (en) | 1991-11-13 |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |
